Ratchet mechanism



J; H. A BRAMSON El AL RATCHET MECHANISM Filed June 10, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet l 1934- J. H. ABRAMSON El AL 1,971,290

BATCH-ET MECHANISM Filed June 10, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Aug. 21, 1934 ATENT RATCHET MECHANISM JohnHerbei-t Abramson and Edwin C. Swanson, Rockford, 111., assignors to Greenlee Bros. & 00., Rockford, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application June 10, 1933, Serial No. 675,176

21 Claims.

This invention relates to ratchet mechanisms and more especially to ratchet means of particular advantage inspiral ratchet screw drivers.

A source of annoyance and delay in the operation of conventional spiral screw drivers is the fact that when the screw being inserted thereby is driven to the full extent possibly by reciprocation of the handle, it is necessary to run the spindle completely'into the body and lock'the same in this collapsed position in order to finish .the insertion of the screw. While such. screw drivers can be locked at any. point inthe stroke against inward movement of the spindle, that alone is not sufficient since in suchlocked position the spindle can move outward. This means that when pressure is applied to the"handle, the handle will back up along the spiral on the spin.- dle and also'rotate in the direction in which the handle being'turned, thus making it necessary, should the screw become too difiicult to turn at a point when the spindle is partly extended, to remove the screw driver from the screw, run the spindle intothe body aindiock the same'before the screw may be tightened;

An object of the invention is the provision of a generally improved spiral ratchet screw driver wherein at any point in the strokejthe spindle may be locked against movement and the driver used as a fixed driven sion of a screw driver of variable length.

A primary object of the present. invention is the provision of improved ratchet mechanism for locking the ratchet wheels against rotation in either direction.

We have also aimed to provide ratchet means wherein the pawl and associated parts are formed to provide positive and smooth action and wherein the pawl is moved longitudinally to se- Beet the various operating trains and means are provided for tilting the pawl responsive to such movement to engage the fingers thereof.

Other objects and attendant advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description and the accompanying drawings, in which-- Figure 1 is a side view of a screw driver embodying our invention, the enclosing sleeves beng shown in section; i

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary section through the ratchet cage showing the pawl in a position to lock the ratchet wheels against movement in either direction;

Fig. 8 is a face view of the ratchet cage show- A further object of the invention is the provi- Fig. 4 is a. view similar to Fig.

showing a pawlin a position for ratcheting of the other wheel; Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3; Fig. 6 is a section on the line 6 6 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 'Tis a section through the ratchet cage showing asecond embodiment of our invention, thep awl being in a position to lock both ratchet wheels against movement in either direction;

8 is a top view of the ratchet wheels and pawl shown in Fig. 7, showing the pawl in a position for ratcheting of one wheel;

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8 showing the pawl in'a position for ratcheting of the other wheel';

Fig. 10 is a section on the line 10-10 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 11 is a section on the line 11 --11 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 12 is a section through-the ratchet cage showing a third form of our invention, the pawl occupying a position to prevent rotation of the ratchet wheels in' either direction;

Fig. 13 is a top view of the ratchet wheels and pawl shown in Fig. 12, thejpawl occupying a position for ratcheting of the upper wheel;

Fig. 14 is a section on'the line 1414 of Fig. 13, and.

Fig. 15 is a section on the line 1515 of Fig. 13.

The present invention contemplates a screw driver wherein movement of the ratchet control button locks the spindle against movement in the body so that the screw driver is virtually converted to a fixed screw driver for completing the drivingof a screw. The invention also contemplates a screw driver wherein by actuation of the ratchet control the screw driver may be converted to a fixed screw driver of variable length. Also within the contemplation of the invention is ratchet mechanism of general application but of particular value in a screw driver wherein a pawl cooperates with a pair of ratchet wheels, the pawl being shaped to lock the wheels against rotation in either direction.

' The invention is illustrated as incorporated in a screw driver such as shown and described in our copending application, Serial N 0. 675,175, filed June 10, 1933 the numeral 17 designating a handle carrying a body consisting of a tube 18 and a ratchet cage 14. A spindle 21 having helical right and left hand grooves 22 and 23 is supported in the body for reciprocation therein. The outer end of the spindle carries a chuck 24 for holding the chuck and surrounds the spindle. A spring 28 carrying a button 29, which projects through the sleeve 26, extends from the handle to the ratchet cage and is held against the tube 18 by means of a clip 31.

Ratchet mechanism, carried in the cage 14,

serves to control the relative mpvement between the body and the spindle and may take a number of forms, three'of whichare shown in the draw"" ings, Figures 1 to 6, inclusive, showing one form-,-

movement and serves to select the wheels which are'to be engaged while the ledges 41 and 42 serv to tiltthe pawl to bring the fingers into the de- Figs. 7 to 11 a second form, and Figs. 12 to 15 a third form. 1

Referring first to the form shown in sF1i g.- 1-6, ratchet wheels 32 and 33 are positioned on the spindle 21 within the ratchet-cage 14' andIare spaced apart by a spacer 34 pressed into the walls of the cage.

die in the usual manner. are each provided with a hub 35 and teeth36, the teeth preferably projecting .above the cylin- Ledges 41 and 42 are formed on the cage at the edges 38 and 39 and project into. theisl ot, the,

ledges being formed in any convenient manner.-

as by swedging the metal at these points. A-

in abutting relationship, as shown in Fig. 7. Pe-

ripheral shoulders 57 are formed on the opposite. ends of thelwhe'els spaced from the teeth 55. A pawl, shownto best advantage in Fig. 8, consists of abody portion 53 preierably curved, as shown 'in' Fig.' ll, havingoiitwardly extending. fingers pawl designatedgenerally ,by the numeral 43 has a body portion 44 which is preferably, though not necessarily, curvedv laterally and with ;a pair of fingers .45 and 46 at one end bent downwardly, as shown at 4'7, to lie in alower-plane thanthebody 44. The body-of the :pawl is slotted, as shown at 48, to provide-,a stop 49 and the -rear'end of the body 44 is provided with a depending finger 51 arranged to contact the hub;,35 of the wheel 32. Thebody 44 is also providedwithan opening 52 for the reception of the forward end of the spring 23 so thatby-,manipulationoi,the button 29, the pawl may be movedlongitudinally between the positions shown in Figs. 2,3 and 4. v v

The fingers 45-and .46 bearagainst thesideedges 38a-nd39, respectively, and serve to guide the pawl in-its longitudinal; movement. The ledges 41 and 42 are sospawd longitudinally of the cage that when the finger 45 approaches :the

ledge 41 the slot 48 will coincide with the :ledge; 42, thereby permittingthe fingers 45- 'and 46 todrop downward against the gear teeth 36 of both 1 wheels, as shown in Fig 2.. in this ppsition, the

inner edges of the fingers 45 and 46 are received,

between the teeth 36 while the outer edges bear against the side edges 36;and 39 ofthe slot 37,

, the ledge 42,.tilting the finger 46 out of engagement. Simultaneously, the fingers-45-and 46amv moved longitudinally sothat the ends of the fin gers cannot be engaged with the wheel When the button 29 is moved forward from its central position, the pawl is moved into the position shown in Fig. 4. During this longitudinalmovement, the fingers45and 46 are moved away from the gear 32 and overfthe gear 33, Simultaneously with such movement the forward end of the fine V ger 45 rides up onto the ledge-4i, thustilt-ing the Splines 30 on the inner surface cooperate with the grooves 22 and 23 ionithe=;spin-fi The ratchet. wheels,

"through accident.

pawl so that the finger 45 is lifted out of engagement and the finger 46 is moved into engagement. In this position, the wheel 33 is prevented from rotating in a counterclockwise direction, facing Fig. 6, whereas in the position shown in Fig. 3, the wheel 32 is prevented from clockwise rotation facing Fig. 5. When the pawl moves into thepositionshdwn in Fig. 4, the stop 49 engages the ledge 42 to determine this forward position. Thus, the longitudinal movement of the pawl is a selective sired engagement corresponding with the selecpawl. In the positions shown in Figs 3 and 4,

the fingers which are not to be engaged, are posit ive,ly held out git-engagement so that there is no possibility of their engagement with the wheels In this manner, the operatioirof the ratchet mechanism is renderedposi- We have. shown in Figs; 7511, inclusive, a secv ond. form oi'itheinvention' wherein the ratchet 'Qwheels, designated jgenerallyby the numerals 53 and 54, a re providedwith gear'teeth 55 extending above; the cylindrical surface of hubs 56, the

teeth beingfpositioned atone end oi'the wheels andthe wheels being positioned with said ends 59 and SI atone end and 62 and 63 at the opposite end, thel'fingers bearing along their sides againstthe sideedges 38 and 39 ofv the cage slot 37 shown and described in connection with the modification, of .l igures 1 to 6. A pin 64 in the body is received in the spring 28 for actuation of ..the,paWl.by--me'ans of the button 29. The fingers .are eachfbent downwardly, 'as' shown at 65, di-

desired, have their ends beveled outwardly-from bottom to top, as shown at 66, (F g. 7) The fin-r gers fil and 63 have laterally extending projec-v tions' 67 and 68 at their outer ends, the projec tions being'bent upward, as shown in Fig. 10.

When the button 29 occupies its intermediate position, the pawl occupies the position shown in Fig. 7, wherein the portions of the fingers nearest thebody 58 rest between the teeth 55 of the wheels, the fingers 59 and 61 engaging the wheel 53 to prevent its rotation in either direction and the fingers 62 and .63 engaging the wheel 54 and likewise preventing its rotation. When the button 29 is moved to its rearmost position, the pawl is moved longitudinally into the position shown ,in Fig. 8, the outer end of the finger 59 moving .up the sloping edge 69 of the shoulder 5'7 and the lateral projection 68 on' the finger 63 moving up the sloping ends of the teeth on the wheel 54.

This movement tilts the pawl laterally about a longitudinal center, lifting the fingers 59 and 63 I out of engagement with the wheels and maintaining the finger 62 in engagement with the wheel The longitudinal movement of the pawl 1 brings the finger 61 over the hub 63 so as to be tree of the teeth on the wheel 53. Upon rotation of the wheels in this'position, the finger 59 rides on the hub 5'7 and the lateral projection 68 of the finger 63 rides over the teeth of the gear 54, thus positively preventing'engagement of either the finger 59 or 63. When the button 29 is moved forward from its central position, the pawl is moved into the position shown in Fig. 9, wherein the fingers 61 and 62 are raised out of engagement and the finger 59 is brought into engagement withthe teeth of the gear 53. Here again, longitudinal movement of the pawl serves to selest the 'typeof movement between the ratchet cage and the spindle, whereas the lateral tilting of the pawl serves to bring "the' 'proper fingersinto engagement with the wheels; In the form shown in Figures 1-4, tilting movement'of the 15..

means on the ratchet wheels.

A third form of the invention is shown in Figs. 12-15, inclusive, wherein the ratchet wheels are designated by the'numerals 71 and 72 having hubs73 and teeth 74ex-tending above the cylindrical surface of the hubs. End flanges 75 have a cylindrical surface of the same radius asthe outer surfaces of the teeth 74.- The ratchet wheels are placed with the flanges in adjacent spaced relation, the wheels being spaced by a bers 81 and 8t being preferably bent upward intermediate their ends, the cross-member 84 being shown in Fig. 15. The fingers 78 and 83 are bent downwardly, as shown at 8'0,"directly adjacent to the body 77, while the fingers 79 and 82 are bent downwardly intermediate their ends,

as shown at 85, providing portions 86 and 87 which lie in substantially the same plane as the fingers 78 and 83. A pin 88 on the body'serves to receive the spring 28 for holding the pawl in engagement and permitting longitudinal movement thereof by means of the button 29.

When the button 29 occupies its intermediate position, the pawl occupies the position shown in 12, in which the fingers 78 and 83 and the portions 86 and 87 of the fingers 79 and 82 engage the teeth of both gears, thereby preventing rotation of either gear in eitherdirec- When the button is removed rearwardly from its intermediate position, the pawl is moved into the position shown in Fig. 13. During such' movement the finger 83 rides up onto the flange 75 of the wheel 72, and the cross piece 84 rides up nto the teeth of the wheel 72 to the position an in Fig. 5, thereby lifting the fingers 82 and 83 out of engagement and tilting the pawl to naintain the fingers 78 in engagement. During tI-T'l movement, the portion of the finger 79 ano moves out of engagement with the wheel 71. Movement of the button 29 f orward'from its intermediate position engages the finger 83 in "The same the cross'piece 81 thenriding on the teeth of the wheel 71. Thus, in this form of the invention, longitudinal movement of the pawl serves to select the type of engage merit and tilting of the pawl serves to engage the fingers with the ratchet wheels to bring about proper engagement.

Attention is directed to the fact that through these pawl and ratchet wheel constructions, it becomes possible to lock the spindle with respect .0 the body of the screw driver at any point in screw-driver as a conventional fixed screw driver.

Because of the 'fact that the ratchet wheels in the' locked positionof the pawl are prevented from movement in either direction there is no tendency for the body to climb up along the spindle, 'as in conventional types of ratchet screw driversJ' Furthermore, through this construction, we have provided what isequivalent to a fixed screw driver of va'riablelength. That is, by extending the spindle to bring the screw driver to the desired length and by placing the'button 29 in theilocke'd position, it "is possible to have a fixed -Attef1tion"isdirectedto the fact that in each construction,--- the -pawl is of one piece simple construction and the inactive fingers of the pawl inits various positions are positively held out of engagement s'o' that-thereisno possibility of ac cidental engagement of these fingers. In one form of construction, the pawl is caused to ride on the ratchet cage; inth'e second form of the invention-the pawl is 'caused to ride on the shoulders and teeth-of the ratchet wheels which serve to accomplish the tilting of the pawl, whereas inthe-third form of construction, the pawl is caused to ride on the teeth of the wheel, which are instrumental in bringing about the tilting of' the pawl.

While we have thus described and illustrated a specific embodiment of our invention, we are screw driver" of any length within the range of aware that umorous alterations and changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims, in which- We claim:

1. The combination in' a ratchet tool, of a spindle,- a pair of ratchet wheels mounted on the spindle, a ratchet cage enclosing the wheels having 'a longitudinal slot, a longitudinally movable pawl in'said slot having parallelly disposed fingers abutting opposite side edges of the slot arranged for reception between the side edges of the slots, means for moving the pawl longitudinally between wheel selecting positions, and means for tilting the pawl into selective engagement in said wheels upon such movement.

2. A ratchet wheel comprising a spindle, a pair of ratchet wheels carried by the spindle, a handle supporting the spindle, a ratchet cage on the handle receiving the ratchet wheels and having a slot, a ratchet pawl in said slot contacting said wheels, said pawl having opposed parallelly disposed fingers adjacent the sides of the slots, means for moving the pawl longitudinally, and means engaging the fingers upon such movement to tilt the pawl about a longitudinal axis to selectively engage said fingers with the wheels.

3. The combination in a ratchet mechanism, of a spindle, a pair of ratchet wheels mounted on thespindle, a ratchet cage enclosing the wheels having a slot forming longitudinal parallelly disposed side walls, a pawl in the slot having fingers movable along said walls, means for moving the pawl longitudinally between a central locked po- 'sition and opposed ratcheting positions, and means for tilting opposed edges of the pawl upon longitudinal movement to selectively engage the fingers with the wheels.

--'- allelly disposed side wall s-,'a.pawl intliaslot ha .4; The combination in 'a ratchetinechanism, fingersengaging both of said wheels and opposed of a spindle, a pair-of-ratchet wheels mounted-1onratcheting positions, and means for tilting the the spindle, a ratchet cage enclosing thewheels: pawl about itslongitudinal axis upon said longihaving a longitudinal slot, aspawl in the slothavtudinal movementto engage and disengage said a ing parallelly disposed fingers,- means -f or, moving;,.- fingers; 4

the pawl longitudinally, andmeans carried;on=the.- .11., The combination in a ratchet mechanism, cage for tiltingione ofthefingers-into:engagement ofaspindle, a: pair of ratchet wheels mounted with each wheel for ratchetingor both fingers; 0 .-t he spindle, a ratchet cage enclosing the into engagement with bOthfiWh-CBISIO lock the wheelshaving a'slot, a pawl in the slot having a same. I 5. w, body and a pair of fingers at opposite ends there- 7 v ratchet mechanism,. of movable along. said walls, means for moving of a spindle, a pair of ratchet wheels mountedg the-pawl longitudinally between a central locked on-the spindle,q-a ratchet-cage enclosing the positionopposed ratcheting positions, and wheels having .a slot ,forming longitudinal, par-y cooperating-.means carried by the pawl and wheels for tilting the pawl about a longitudinal ing fingers movable along said walls,;.nieans,for axis upon. longitudinal movement thereof to semoving the pawl longitudinally between:a r--cen- ;;lectively engage the fingers with the wheels.

trallocked ,positionandopposedratcheting po 12. The combination in a ratchet mechanism, sitions,- means for tilting iopposed' edges of ,the-q of a spindle, a pair of ratchet wheels on the spinpawl upon longitudinal movement thereoi to -se-; dlehavingupwardlyextending shoulders at their lectively engage the fingers :with ;the wheels-,and outer ends, a pawlin the slot having a body, each stop means on the pawl ion deternrining -saidr end thereof having a long and a short finger for ratcheting positions. 3:": 1- r; :5 .engagement with thewheels, the longer fingers ratchet mechanism,--.: being at diagonally opposed corners of the body,

6-. The combination inof aspindle, .a pair of. ratchet wheels;.mounted on means foipmoving the pawl longitudinally bethe spindle, a ratchetpage enclosing-the wheelsstweenacentral locked position in which all of having" a; slot-forminglongitudinally,parallelly esaid fingers engage said wheels and opposed disposed sidewalls, a pawl in--,the slot having; a;: -ratclie tingpositions-in which one of said fingers body and a pair of--fingers at one-;end thereof gengages one of said wheels, said long fingers rid- :movable along said wallsgmeanslforgmoving;the gingxon-to said shoulders during said longitudinal pawl longitudinally between fa central ppsition moyementto tilt ,the edges of the pawl. with'saidfingersengaging bothof saidg wheels and 13.;The, combination in a ratchet mechanism, opposed ratcheting positions and-,means :fontiltof a spindle, a pair of ratchet wheels mounted ing the pawl about its longitudinal axis -,-upon ,on the spindle, a ratchet cage enclosing the wheels said longitudinal movement to engage and having alongitudinal slot, a pawl in the slot havengage said fingers.- 1 q y inga body, each endthereof having a pair of .7. The combination; in' .a -ratchet;mechanism, :fingers for engagement with the Wheels, means of a spindle,a pair oi ,ratchet=wheels mounted 15017, moving the pawl longitudinally between a on the :spindle, a ratchetvcage-enclosing vthe central lockedposition in which all of said fingers jwheels having .-a-,-slot ,for-ming: longitudinal parengage said wheels and opposed ratcheting posiallelly disposed side walls a pawlin the slot hawtions in which one of said fingers engages one of ing a body and a pair of fingers at one endtheresaid wheels, and cam means on the ends of the otm'ovable along said-walls, meanswfor. moving wheels operative .uponlongitudinalmovement of the pawl longitudinally-between.a central position. ;thepawlto tilt the-pawl about a longitudinal axis with said fingers engaging both of 7 said wheelsgand bring the fingersinto and out of engagement. and opposed ratcheting;positions,- and,ledges on l4.- Ihe combination in a ratchet mechanism, said cage overhangingsaid side walls. arranged of aspindle, a pair of ratchet wheels on the spinto selectively tilt the .edges of the .pawLbycam ,-dle having upwardly extending shoulders at their action upon longitudinal movementthereof to outer ends-and upstanding teeth on their inner engage and disengage said fingers.-.- ends, a pawl in the slot having a body, each end 8. In a ratchet mechanism having a 'ratchet thereof; having a long and a short finger for encage and a pair of-ratchet wheels, a pawlfor gagement with the wheels, the long finger being controlling relative movement therebetween comat diagonally opposed corners of the body, means prising abody and a pair of parallel fingers infor moving the pawl longitudinally between a centegral with one end of the body and lying in a .tral locked position on which all of said fingers lower plane than the body. V engage said wheels, and opposed ratcheting posi- 9. A pawl ior' ratchet mechanism, comprising tions in which one of said fingers engages one an arcuate body having parallelly disposed finof saidwheels, said long fingers riding onto said gers of substantially equal length integral with should rs during Said longitudinal movement to the body at one end, the fingers lying in a lower tilt one edge of the pawl, and lateral pro'ections plan th n the body, and a, stop element integral on said short fingers arranged to ride on said t said body w v Y teeth-to support the opposite end of the pawl.

10. The combination in aratchet mechanism, 15. In a ratchet mechanism, a pawl comprising of a spindle,,a pairof ratchet wheels each having a body, long and. short parallelly disposed fingers ahub at one end and teeth extending thereabove n a h nd f he y depressed f h p n at the otherend, the wheels being mounted on O t O y, the long fingers bfiing diagonally the spindle with the toothed ends adjacent, a opposed, and alateral projection on the end of ratchet cage enclosing thewheelshaving a loneachof t e o t fi s gitudinal 1 g, aw1 i th l t, having body, 16. The combination in a ratchet mechanism, a'pair of fingers" at one end thereof supported of a spindle, a pair of ratchet wheels mounted over the toothed ends of the wheels, and a deon the spindle having upstanding teeth, a ratchet pending projection on the other end of the body cage enclosing the wheels having a slot forming arranged to contact the hub of the wheel to guide longitudinal parallelly disposed side walls, a pawl the pawl, means for moving the pawl longitudi- ,in the=slot comprising a body having parallel nally. between a central locked-position with said fingers on each end connected by a transverse member at their outer ends, one pair of diagonally opposed fingers being bent downward adjacent the body and the other pair being bent down adjacent the outer end, and means for moving the pawl longitudinally between a central position with all of said fingers engaging said wheels, and opposed ratcheting positions, said transverse members riding onto said teeth to tilt the pawl and bring the fingers into and out of engagement.

17. In a ratchet mechanism, a pawl comprising a body, a finger on diagonally opposed corners of the body, laterally extending cross elements on the ends of said fingers opposite the body, and short fingers on the ends of the cross elements paralleled with the first mentioned fingers, the fingers and cross elements being depressed below the plane of the body.

18. In a ratchet mechanism, a pawl comprising a thin section rectangular open center frame having a cross bar intermediate its ends, the ends and portions of each side of the frame being depressed from the plane of the body throughout two diagonally opposed sides of the frame.

19. The combination in a ratchet tool, of a spindle, a pair of ratchet wheels mounted on the spindle, a ratchet cage enclosing the wheels and having a longitudinal slot, and a pawl in said slot movable between a locked position and separate ratcheting positions to control the rotation of the wheels, the pawl being shaped and supported to engage both wheels at annularly spaced points when in the locked position to prevent rotation of either wheel, and to engage one of said wheels in each ratcheting position.

20. The combination in a ratchet mechanism, of a spindle, a pair of ratchet wheels mounted on the spindle, each having an annular row of teeth, a longitudinally movable pawl having two fingers, the pawl being movable to selectively engage each finger with a row of teeth for ratcheting in opposite directions and to engage both fingers with both rows of teeth to lock the wheels against rotation, and means for holding the pawl against lateral displacement.

21. The combination in a ratchet mechanism, of a spindle, a pair of ratchet wheels mounted on the spindle, each having an annular row of teeth, a longitudinally movable pawl having four fingers, the pawl being movable to selectively engage one finger in either row of teeth for ratcheting in opposite directions, and to engage two fingers in each row of teeth to lock the wheels against rotation, and means for holding the pawl against lateral displacement.

JOHN HERBERT ABRAMSON. EDWIN C. SWANSON.

CERTIFICATE or CORRECTION.

Patent No. 1,971,290. August 21, 1934.

JOHN HERBERT ABRAMSON, ET AL.

I It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 5, lines 22 and 23, claim 18, strike-out the words "throughout two diagonally opposed sides of the frame"; and that the said Letters Patentshould be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 25th day of September, A. D. 1934.

Leslie Frazer (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

